Less money, less games. The story of Kieran Tierney’s Celtic return | OneFootball

It was certainly great to watch Kieran Tierney’s first 45 minutes back in a Celtic jersey yesterday morning as Celtic took on Portuguese side Estrela da Amadora in a behind closed doors encounter that finished in a 3-2 defeat for the Hoops…

Brendan Rodgers, post-match was pleased with the run-out as many of the first team players got their first minutes of football after sitting out the earlier matches. And for Kiernan Tierney to be back in the Hoops for that first half was certainly extra-special.

“Yeah, 45. The likes of those other guys as well. It’s the first minutes of pre-season so really good to get them on the field. It was like Kieran had never been away really. So we know his strengths, we know his qualities and we know he’s going to be a big plus.

“I think those guys who came in are a week or so behind physically. In that space, you’re maybe 10 sessions short of the other players. But that will come, that will take time. But you can see from the 45 that he’s still in a good place and building fitness which is what pre-season is all about,” the Celtic manager said.

Kieran Tierney spoke about his return to Celtic on the Official Celtic FC Podcast at the club’s Lisbon base and it’s well worth a listen.

The story of Kieran Tierney’s Celtic return…

When Arsenal decided against taking up their one year option on Tierney’s contract at the end of last year, many offers were forthcoming including the likes of Juventus, Bayer Leverkusen and Sevilla so the draw of a return to Celtic was never guaranteed to be enough to bring the player home, given that the money Celtic could pay would be considerably less that what he could make elsewhere as Brendan explained.

“Make no doubt about it, Kieran has sacrificed to come back here in a financial way because he really wanted to come back. But to have that player of the quality and experience that he has now, it’s going to be really big for us.

“We want to make strides in European football,” Brendan Rodgers

“We want to make strides in European football so to bring that level of player in will certainly help us to do that.

“I think it tells you everything about what he missed and that feeling that he missed when he left. I know the clubs involved because I was part of the process in bringing him back so I know where he could have gone. But this always felt the right place for him when we spoke months ago. I’m really happy for him.

“He’s not even at his peak age yet, he’s still got a lot of years left in him and hopefully we’ll have them here at Celtic which I know he’s really excited about.”

Celtic manager Brendan Rogers meets fans before the game Cork City v Celtic, Pre Season Friendly, Football, SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Cork, Ireland – 08 July 2025Cork SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh Ireland Photo Lorraine O’Sullivan Shutterstock

Brendan met up with both KT and Calmac over the summer

The Celtic manager also revealed that he met up with Kieran during his break in Majorca where the two had a coffee and chat about what was to follow, as Rodgers revealed.

“I’ve been in contact with him throughout the months. When I knew he was going out there for a few days before meeting up with Scotland, we arranged to meet up. I tend to do that. I met with Callum (McGregor) as well. It’s nice to reassure him.

Kieran Tierney, Photo Celtic FC

“I know what that feeling’s like having been somewhere and coming back and the wonder of what it might be like and feel like. But it’s not really until you’re back here that you really sense it. That’s probably what it’s like for him. It’s probably a little bit strange initially but once he gets to Celtic Park, he will feel really at home again.”

Rodgers confirmed that Celtic will look to sign another left-back this summer

Brendan Rodgers, as reported by Daily Record, also made it clear that he will be looking at signing another left back as he clearly accepts that the entire burden cannot be placed on Tierney alone, given his injury history.

The Celtic manager explained: “There are certain players that will break. We had to look at that because it has to be more than the emotional side. The last few years, he’s been unfortunate as well with some of the injuries he has picked up.

“He doesn’t need to be available for every single game,” Brendan Rodgers

“We feel with the management, with him and with how we work, we can keep him fit for as long as we possibly can. He doesn’t need to be available for every single game. To have a successful season, we need to have a really good squad that we can rotate and that includes him.

“It’s just great to have him back. He’s on his way through the gears and we know a fully-fit Kieran is a massive boost.”

Here’s Brendan’s post match thoughts via Celtic TV…

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